When the skin all around no longer holds firm after major weight loss, a body lift tightens the abdomen, flanks, buttocks and thighs in a single procedure. It is a major operation that requires time, careful planning and a stable weight.
Three cities, consultations nationwide
Seven surgeons
Self-pay, insurance cover in individual cases
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3–5hours of surgery under general anaesthesia
2–3nights in the clinic
6–8weeks in compression garments
4–6weeks until you are back to your usual routine
6–12months of stable weight before the operation
Typical figures from the clinics. Your personal plan is discussed at the preliminary consultation.
After major weight loss
Too much skin, all the way round.
Anyone who has lost a great deal of weight – after obesity surgery, with medical support or through their own efforts – has achieved a lot. The skin often cannot keep up. Stretched over years, it has lost its elasticity and lies in folds around the abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs.
This excess is more than a question of appearance. In the folds, the skin can become sore and inflamed, and movement and personal hygiene become a struggle. Exercise or dieting cannot make it recede.
That is why a body lift does not treat a single zone but the whole torso, all the way round. It is not about losing weight but about shape – your target weight should have been reached and remained stable for months.
The treatment
What a body lift can achieve.
All-round
Excess skin and fatty tissue are removed and the tissue beneath is tightened – on the abdomen, flanks, buttocks and thighs in a single procedure.
Relieving
Without deep skin folds, irritation and inflammation can subside; many people find movement and personal hygiene easier.
Lasting
With a stable weight, the result can last a long time. However, pregnancy or renewed weight gain will stretch the skin again.
Between the first consultation and the operation come examination, planning and preparation. For a procedure of this size, that is time well invested.
Maintaining your weight
Your target weight has been reached and remains stable for at least six to twelve months – often longer after obesity surgery.
Preliminary consultation
A specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery examines the skin, tissue and abdominal wall and discusses what can realistically be achieved.
Planning
It is decided which areas will be tightened, where the incisions will run and whether further procedures will be added – on the breasts or upper arms, for example.
Preparation
Blood tests, a detailed discussion of the risks and advice on medication. Nicotine is avoided before and after the operation because it impairs wound healing.
Surgery
Under general anaesthesia, usually three to five hours. The scar is planned so that clothing covers it as far as possible.
Clinic and compression
Two to three nights as an inpatient, followed by six to eight weeks of compression garments, wound checks and removal of stitches.
Healing
Your usual routine is generally possible again after about four to six weeks; strenuous sport only once your doctor approves. The final contour emerges after several months.
Costs and insurance
Who covers the costs.
Self-pay treatment
Costs according to scope.
In Dortmund, Düsseldorf and Wertheim, the clinics charge the body lift as a self-pay treatment, and Weight Doctors® does so within the Weight Doctors® RESHAPE programme. The costs depend on how many areas are tightened and how long the operation and the stay in the clinic last; you will receive a personal quote after the preliminary consultation.
Several clinics offer financing in instalments.
Statutory health insurance
Only when medically necessary.
German statutory health insurance does not cover tightening procedures carried out for aesthetic reasons. It may be different if the excess skin is making you ill – for example through recurring inflammation in the skin folds that cannot be controlled any other way, or through significant restrictions in everyday life. Whether this applies is assessed case by case.
If cost coverage is an option, the operation takes place at the Bürgerspital Wertheim; pre- and aftercare are possible close to home.
Specialists
Your surgeons at a glance.
Operations are performed by specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery. Under each name you will find the locations where they work.
Dr. med. Michael BrombaSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Düsseldorf · Wertheim
Dr. med. Frank GrunerSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Düsseldorf
Dr. med. Uwe HerrboldtSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Wertheim
Dr. med. Martin ReifenrathSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Wertheim
Dr. med. Maria SimidjiiskaSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Wertheim
Prof. Dr. med. Mathias WittSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund · Düsseldorf · Wertheim
Dr. med. univ. Nura ZamaniSpecialist in Plastic and Aesthetic SurgeryDortmund
Locations
Where treatment takes place.
Each clinic and practice shows on its own website how the treatment works there.
Germany
Dortmund
Specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery at the group’s headquarters – preliminary consultation, operation and aftercare in one clinic.
Specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery within the Bürgerspital. This is also where operations take place when health insurance covers the costs.
Weight Doctors® offers the body lift within the Weight Doctors® RESHAPE programme – initial consultation at its locations in Germany, by phone or by video.
When your target weight has been reached and has remained stable for at least six to twelve months, and your general health is good. After obesity surgery, the timing is agreed with the treating team.
How major is the procedure?
A body lift is a major operation: three to five hours under general anaesthesia, two to three nights in the clinic and then several weeks of taking things easy. This time should be planned for at work and at home.
What does the scar look like?
With a lower body lift, it runs from the lower abdomen over the hips to the lower back – all the way round the body. It is placed so that clothing covers it as far as possible. At first it is red; over time it fades – but it will never disappear completely.
What are the risks?
As with any operation: swelling, bruising, post-operative bleeding and infection, and rarely thrombosis. After major weight loss, wound-healing problems are more common; numbness and conspicuous scars are also possible. Careful preparation, compression and check-ups reduce the risk, but it cannot be ruled out.
How does it differ from liposuction?
Liposuction removes fatty tissue but not skin. A body lift removes excess skin together with fatty tissue and tightens the tissue beneath. If fat deposits are also a concern, the two procedures can be combined.
Is skin tightening without surgery enough?
Procedures such as RENUVION® work through small access points and can improve mild to moderate laxity. They do not remove hanging folds of skin – that requires tightening surgery.
Can I still get pregnant afterwards?
Yes. However, pregnancy stretches the skin again and can change the result. That is why it is usually recommended to wait with a body lift until your family planning is complete.
Further reading
More on the topic.
In-depth articles from the group's clinics and practices.
Describe your request – the right clinic or practice will get back to you.
CGCE Group in the media
Reviews
What patients say about us.
CGCE GroupVerified
5,888 reviews on ProvenExpert
SFSithembiso F.
This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.
Weight Doctors South Africa
MMaria
Wow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AAnonym
Ich habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AAnonym
Ich bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AWAndre W.
Bisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.
Weight Doctors Group · Original in German
DCDavid C.
Ich fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.
QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in German
MMomo
Hervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
AAnonym
Dr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
LSLieselotte S.
Über die ehrliche Einschätzung
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
HGHannelore G.
Ich habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
CKCarmen K.
Ich bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.
CGCE Group · Original in German
MLMichaela L.
Dr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!